T. S. H. BURNS & SON
Solicitors
3
لنا
Rutland Exchange 580
Telephone 63222 (STD Code 0349)
P.O. Box No.1,
Park Street,
Dingwall,
Ross-shire, IV15 9JJ
T. S. H. BURNS, M.A., LL.B., N.P.
M. J. BURNS, M.A., LL.B.
Mrs J. C. CHISHOLM, LL.B., Dip.. L.P., N.P.
JCC/PCP/C
Mr. Charles Kennedy
House of Commons
London
Dear Mr. Kennedy,
Our client: Mrs. Sandra South
Miss A.G. Cross deceased
HKC102/3
22nd February, 1989
off
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We are instructed in the winding up of the above Executry in which there are a considerable number of Hongkong & Shanghai Bank shares. We have been asked by the Executrix to write to you to express her concern over the apparent difficulties that arose in having these shares transferred on the death of a shareholder.
The mechanism requires that Confirmation be obtained in the U.K. and thereafter a sealed copy of the Confirmation is required to be re-sealed at what we understand is a considerable expense within the Supreme Court of Hong Kong, a matter which can only be undertaken by a Hong Kong Solicitor. Thereafter the Hong Kong Inland Revenue must be satisfied that no tax falls due in respect of the share holding. This latter is not really a cause for concern as it would be a standard procedure in any country.
In fact at the present time, we are advised that this particular share holding will now only take some 6 weeks to complete the transfer, but we have been endeavouring to have the shares transferred since late 1987 and not surprisingly our executrix is less than happy on what is an unusual delay.
We appreciate that this type of enquiry may be somewhat outwith your normal remit but we wonder if you can investigate on our behalf if there is any method by which this circuitous route can be circumvented by intervention at some higher point of authority.
We should be obliged for any assistance you may be able to offer us.
Yours sincerely,